Did you know that these 4 everyday items can seriously clog your Toronto pipes?

You might think whatever you put down your pipes or flush down the toilet is out of sight out of mind, but in Toronto, your dirty little secret may have BIG ramifications.

Sure, it may seem harmless now, but long term, some items don’t break down or get treated, causing them to clog up your pipes and potentially harm our waterways. 

In some areas of the city, we have what’s called combined sewers that carry wastewater and stormwater in one mixed sewer. During big storms, sewers can become overloaded, causing stormwater and sewage to overflow untreated into our waterways.

Look, it’s messy business, but it’s better you know now, instead of when your basements get flooded with, to put it delicately, unsavoury waste…

The City of Toronto is currently undergoing a large $3 billion stormwater project to store large volumes of stormwater that’s being built now — but we all need to do our part in making sure our water stays clean and clear for everyone.

So, to help you figure out what can and cannot be put down your pipes, here are a few of the most common things that are being flushed, and how to properly dispose of them.

Hygiene products

There should really only be two things getting flushed down your toilet, and that’s a Number One and a Number Two (technically toilet paper as well, but you get the idea).

Pads, liners, tampons, condoms, wipes (or any kind), cotton swabs, dental floss, and diapers can all cause harm to your pipes in different ways.

Fun fact: Many products that read as “flushable” actually are not and can still cause pipe problems!

Most menstrual products and diapers can go in the green bin, along with facial tissues, but everything else should be thrown in the trash. It’s handy to keep a small garbage bin in your bathroom just for these kinds of products. You put your toilet through enough trauma, cut it some slack!

Cooking oils

Using cooking oils and grease can help you make fabulous dishes, but our sinks don’t find these products as tasty as we do. While it may seem liquid when it goes down, oils and grease harden at cooler temperatures and cause blockages that can clog pipes. 

It’s safe to put those leftover cooking fats, oils, and grease in the green bin with enough absorbent materials like paper towels — same goes for your leftover cooking scraps. If you’re prone to doing a lot of frying, there are drop-off depots if you have excess amounts of grease on hand.

Medication

All done with that prescription? Don’t feed it to the fish!

While medication is important to help us recover from ailments, it can pose a great risk to Toronto’s environment and aquatic wildlife.

Luckily, you don’t have to flush any medication, be it liquid or pills. Anything you don’t use or need can be easily returned to your local pharmacy where they will dispose of it properly.

Household hazardous waste

Nothing feels nicer than a clean home, but what’s not-so-nice is when that clean home comes at the expense of clean waterways.

It’s okay to use cleaning products, but don’t dispose of them down the drain. Leftover cleaning products you don’t plan to use can be dropped off at one of the City’s Drop-off Depots. You can also request a Toxic Taxi pick-up by calling 311 or completing an online service request. 

Do your part in helping Toronto’s sewage system stay in working order and learn more about how to create better flushing habits today. 

NOT DOWN THE DRAIN TORONTO